Letter: Event will raise money to battle addiction

My name is Robin Pangallo. I am a daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, as well as a concerned, working citizen of our great community of Bucyrus and Crawford County. Our small town of Bucyrus, as well as many other communities worldwide, is feeling the effects of the heroin epidemic. The question has been raised countless times, “What can we do?” or “How can we help?”

As managers of Bucyrus Suburban Lanes, my husband Butch and I along with owner Mark Sashko, and Ken Fraser, director of community outreach at Beachside Rehab of Fort Pierce, Florida, have teamed up to help raise awareness within this community of the problem of addiction and how we are prepared to offer help for this ongoing problem. It is our intention to raise money for those in our own community who need treatment immediately and are less than fortunate enough to have the funds and/or resources to acquire it.

On Nov. 12, we at Suburban Lanes will be having a walk for addiction, which will be known as G.R.A.C.E. (Give Recovery A Chance Everyday). Beachside Rehab, a privately operated recovery center, along with many other rehab facilities, are donating as many as 30 scholarships in the form of rehabilitation programs for our citizens of Bucyrus to assist in the battle of this citywide epidemic. These scholarships could cost as much as $30,000 each per month for an insurance company to cover. These will be offered for free for those who are willing to take the steps toward recovery.

We will be raising money to assist with airfare and any other expenses incurred by these rehab centers. We will start with a walk from Suburban Lanes to uptown and back, getting as much support as possible for this worthwhile event. Once back at Suburban, you will enjoy live entertainment provided by Frank Medley of Get Away Productions, featuring five or more bands, such as ZZ3, a ZZ Top cover band; Bridge Construction; Tiddy; Outpatient 5; the legendary gospel rock and blues artist Glenn Kaiser; the REZ Band, and more.

There will be a silent auction for a custom refinished guitar, courtesy of Galion local Kevin Stamper. Raffles and 50/50 drawings will be held throughout the day, with many great prizes such as a flat screen TV, bicycle, tools, Harley Davidson and Ohio State Buckeyes items as well other great prizes from local businesses. Of course there will be open bowling all day long as well as a fun–filled scotch doubles bowling event at 9 p.m. Food and drink specials will be available and a portion of all Suburban Lanes’ income will be donated back for this cause.

I am sure that everyone in our community has felt the impact of addiction. Whether you have a loved one or friend, or the loved one of a friend that battles addiction, we have all been affected. I am asking you with heavy heart to please help our worthy cause by planning to attend, donating prizes or cash, and most importantly spreading the word to make this the most successful event that Suburban Lanes and Bucyrus has ever seen. We can and will make a difference. If we can save just one life, wouldn’t that be worth it? More details will be forthcoming in your local newspapers, radio and on Facebook. Thank you and God Bless.

Robin Pangallo

Hopley Avenue

Read or Share this story: http://ohne.ws/2espe9U

From The USA TODAY NETWORK

These sites are part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Their content is produced independently from our newsrooms.